Published by Delacorte Press on January 23rd 2018
Pages: 256
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley
Fans of The 5th Wave will devour this heart-pounding sci-fi novel about a girl with a secret: on a near-future Earth taken over by aliens, she is the only human left alive.
RAISED AMONG THEM. Li has a father and a sister who love her. A best friend, Mirabae, to share things with. She goes to school and hangs out at the beach and carefully follows the rules. She has to. Everyone she knows--her family, her teachers, her friends--is an alien. And she is the only human left on Earth.
A SECRET THAT COULD END HER LIFE. The Abdoloreans hijacked the planet sixteen years ago, destroying all human life. Li's human-sympathizer father took her in as a baby and has trained her to pass as one of them. The Abdoloreans appear human. But they don't think with human minds or feel with human hearts. And they have special abilities no human could ever have.
FIT IN OR DIE. When Li meets Ryn, she's swept up in a relationship that could have disastrous consequences. How far will Li go to stay alive? Will she save herself--and in turn, the human race--or will she be the final witness to humanity's destruction?
The premise of this book drew me in immediately- the last human being on Earth!? Yes, of course I needed to read it. Not only was Li the last human, but she had to try to pretend she was just “one of the aliens”. And I mean, that is how the story went down, don’t get me wrong. Only… that was about the extent of it. Aliens, one human girl with a case of insta-love, and incredibly limited world-building left me wanting a lot more.
First of all, the alien people I guess look a lot like humans, since Li has been passing for one since forever. Only… the aliens have gills. Because sure, right? They don’t live in the water or anything, so your guess as to why they have gills is as good as mine. Our girl Li also has gills. Fake gills, albeit, but gills. How one hides breathing is beyond me. And I asked myself that many, many times during the book, especially since quite a bit of the story involves physical activity, and if I am running around, you’re probably going to see me take a gasp or two of air?
A reaction Li cannot have, under penalty of death I guess?
But okay, we’ll move past that, I suppose. Li’s only chance to escape comes from a competition to be a higher-up in the military, because apparently she can go off-planet, and maybe the aliens on those planets will be cooler about the uselessly-gilled-human thing? Again, no idea. Whatever, this is the Super Important Life Event™ she’s been training her whole life for. So when a dude gives her the feels… of course she risks it all. ?
Obviously, her relationship with Ryn (aforementioned dude) is pretty insta-lovey. My basic definition of insta-love is “willing to throw away previously important people and/or life priorities for romantic interest character barely knows”, and this is pretty much textbook. Not only does Li risk her actual physical life by getting too close to Ryn too quickly, she seems pretty down to whatever he suggests in general. She reminds me of one of those girls who just blindly follows a guy because he showed her some attention. It’s kind of gross. Ryn isn’t a terrible character even, just generic. But their super quick love declarations were hokey.
There were a lot of coincidences along the way, too. For example, Li ends up on the same training team as the literal only mentioned characters up until that point, who also happened to be her best friend, some other people they hung out with, the “bad guy”, and of course, Ryn. Look, I don’t know about you guys, but when I was thrown into group projects, it was with three randos I’d never spoken to and was forced to work with, so the chances that all her teammates are her buds? Nope, nope, not buying it. That’s a non-spoilery example, but… there are more.
While we’re talking about the best friend, I have a real beef with that situation, too. It’s a spoiler, but man I was salty, so here you go for all of you who cannot control yourselves: View Spoiler »
The writing was a little… simple, I guess is a good word? It wasn’t generally terrible or anything, but there were some real head-scratchers in terms of fluidity. This was a fun example:
Also, isn’t that the exact description of President Alma Coin of District 13? ?
See, why did I need to know that random detail mid-paragraph? (Spoiler: I didn’t.) Things like that just took me out of the story and were a bit confusing overall.
The good things? There were a few! The ending was actually kind of interesting, but only if there will be a sequel, otherwise it was rude. Li’s relationship with her sister was pretty awesome. And the book was a quick read, so that’s nice.
Ultimately, this just fell short of my expectations. The world-building was akin to what I’d expect from a short story in an anthology or something, and the lack of information and insight was confusing and unappealing. Li was an okay character, but her decisions didn’t seem to correlate to her personality, so it was hard to make sense of why she was doing what she was doing. And I still don’t understand why the hell these aliens had gills, tbh.
Bottom Line: Cool premise that could have gone a lot differently with a more sophisticated world-building and consistent character traits. And also less-insta love, because who likes that?
Okay the last human on earth thing is super cool. So it’s a bummer that this was so sketchy. Fake gills? Gah seriously? You know how they always say it’s so hard to get published – and then you get stuff like this. lol apparently the editor didn’t have issues with the gills/ breathing, or the insta love for that matter? Like how hard would it be to say hey author, maybe develop this romance a LITTLE more???
And the spoiler? *sigh*
I’m trying to imagine Coin now with gills.
BWHAH dying, because that is seriously what I thought, too- like who exactly didn’t clean this up, even!? Sometimes books that get to this point with so much… help needed, I wonder why no one bothered TO help it? Like you can’t even put the blame on the author, it’s a team effort. It had a LOT of potential, if things were just fleshed out more, made sense, you know, the little things ? I want so badly to tell you the BIG spoiler- I mean, you’re not reading the book, right? Well- Val guessed it in her comment, down further, if you want to know!!
Ooh I like that spoiler but does she go through all that shit just to find out… well, you know. That’s kinda funny actually. I can see why a sequel is pretty much needed? Which hopefully will not suck lol. And no I probably won’t read so I’m spoiler safe. I wanna know how exactly she got fake gills too, and how they can’t tell they’re fake *sigh*
Honestly the instalove is what turns me off straight away.? I’m so tired of it! It always feels like lazy writing unless there’s a lot of relationship work involved throughout the story to make it work!? Like insta-attraction = is great to read about! Instalove where it’s all BOY BOY BOY (!!) just gets tiring.? But I do like the premise so it’s a pity this one flopped!
Dude, the insta-love was messy. Because yeah, I agree, insta-attraction I am down with! But this girl was making shitty decisions after like, a day of meeting this dude and my eyes were rolling out of my head.
I already marked this as one of my most anticipated reads of the year, buuuuut I think it won’t be, anymore. DEFINITELY not into insta-love (the extreme, WTF WHY kinds), lazy world-building, and bad cases of “coincidences”. Good bye, book. D: Awesome review, Shannon!!
UGH I know, I was SO excited about it! And I feel bad rating it so low, but…. honesty hahha. The thing is, I feel like it had SO much potential, too- like had the world building made sense, or the insta-love just been handled differently. Thanks so much!! 😀
Sorry you didn’t like the book, but your review made me laugh. I’m trying to hide my breathing right now. I’ll probably be really good at it until I pass out.
AWW thanks! I was hoping at least there could be a few chuckles out of the mess 😉 And seriously, I was getting light-headed, I hope you are still with us bwhahah
LMAO! GILLS! THAT THEY DON’T USE. I’m dying here.
It definitely sounds like an interesting premise, but freaking stupid insta-love had to come in and ruin everything. Anyways, your review made my day! It’s the best! 😀
Aww thanks!! Seriously, there was SO much potential here, which is I think what makes it the most frustrating.
I am sorry this one didn’t work out for you! I do love your definition of insta-love. I don’t always love insta-love sometimes I need more of a relationship build up. Great review!
Aw thanks!! And yes- that is exactly how I feel. Insta-lust is fine, that is a thing, but insta-love? Nope, not buying it!!
I totally agree I am good with insta-lust!
Hahahaha. “Spoiler alert: I didn’t”. You’re reviews was hilarious, but it sucks that the book was bleh. Dear people stop coming up with these awesome ideas that go no where. Thanks!
Hopefully your next read is better.
Happy Friday!
AWW thank you!! And seriously, the potential here was HUGE, I think that made me even sadder that it didn’t work than I normally would be! Hope you’re having a great weekend 😀
WHO KNOWS IF SHE IS THE ONLY HUMAN THOUGH. And omg this who plot sounds interesting, but THEN YOUR REVIEW. I can’t even with some of these things. How is Li not dead. And whY is SHE RISKING HER LIFE FOR SOME DUDE? This sounds like a train wreck, which I avoided. Sadly you did not. But it made for a great review so I am grateful.
Welp, that’s the truth- how does she know? (Hint, she doesn’t, you’ve just spoiled yourself for the end of the book hah.) And YES- I forgot to mentiion that these aliens are all much stronger and more powerful than humans, so she trains to keep up. I mean- I am glad I read it for myself to SEE that it was a train wreck? And iit was quick? But I am sad.
WELLLLLL, this sounds a bit rubbish!
BWHAHAH basically, unfortunately!
OH MY… I think the cover pulled me in and I’m glad I read this review as I have other must reads on my list LOL
Oh SAME, the cover is so lovely! ANd I loved the premise, but alas. I wish I had better news to share 😀
What exactly happened during the ending of the story? I was reading the book and lost it and I’m doing it for a reading fair project.
Okay so I don’t totally recall? It was about 2 years since I have read it at this point BUT I remember it being frustratingly open- like NONE of the questions were answered? And since there is no sequel, I guess there never will be any answers!
ahhh ew insta-love no thanks,,, this book sounds like it kind of sucks I’M GLAD I DIDN’T REquesT IT ON NETGALLEY!! yay me being picky about not liking the cover!!
Sounds like it has the potential to be incredibly awesome. Sorry this one feel flat. I haven’t even heard of it yet but I agree, I would totally want to read that. And yes – that was a very strangely placed description. I’m not sure I would take to that writing at all.
I can’t stop laughing Shannon, this is bloody hilarious. I seen this on Netgalley and thank god I didn’t click. It almost sounds as though several books were mashed together. ‘Looks legit, totally got away with it.’ But how does she have family being the last human? Or are these her gilled family? I have no idea what is happening here and quite frankly I’m terrified.
Good day madam and hilarious review! <3
AND THE SYNOPSIS WAS SO GOOD??! *cries* It always makes me sad when a book has SO MUCH PROMISE, but then the author introduces insta-love and unrealistic happenings. I can’t believe insta-love is still a thing in 2018. I was wailing about this in 2012 already. XD
Thanks for the honest review! 😀 <3
Yeah, so I actually tried to hide my breathing here for a while, but… that did not feel good hahaha.
I’m sorry this book wasn’t that great, I feel like it held so much potential? From reading the synopsis, at first, I thought, “oh, that one is going to be good”. I am so sad that it didn’t meet your expectations, and that insta-love… hm, I think I better stay away from that one haha 🙂
Lovely review! 🙂
Uhm… I don’t think you could jide your breathing. Unless it was only for a few seconds like actors and actresses do when they have to play dead and the camera does a close up on their face, but even that doesn’t last forever because the camera is on them for literally ONE MINUTE.
Ahem, I got a bit sidetracked.
But even though I liked the 5th wave, I didn’t think I was going to enjoy a book which sounded too similar to it… and this one sounds exactly like that, what with not enough world building and insta love. So this isn’t going to be one for me… >.>
Sounds like this is one of those books that seems great on the surface, but just isn’t executed well. Way too many distracting coincidences and such; plus this sounds like the type of insta-love that drives me crazy.
This is so annoying, like WHY DOES SHE HAVE GILLS. Like that wouldn’t be the first thing they try and explain? Also the rest of the book sounds like a hot mess, no thanks.
Yea, I agree with alot of these comments. I like insta-attraction thats ok. But a more detailed relationship build up was probably needed. I think insta-love is put into the book just to get reads sometimes. ALSO, it was so obvious that Ryn knew she was human, Like why did it take that long, and why was Li fussing over it for so long especially since she was so obvious about her humaness. lol. Anyway, I think the book was pretty good but i think my imagination did a better job at creating the world than the book did lol.